Final answer:
Archaeology, a subfield of anthropology, explores the human past through material remains such as artifacts and fossils, using excavation to understand past human cultures and their interactions with the environment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Archaeology is a subfield of anthropology focused on the study of the ancient and recent human past via material remains. It is a means to understand the history of human cultures through the excavation and analysis of artifacts and fossils. Archaeologists perform scientific excavations to discover items made by humans, such as tools or pottery, and fossils, which are the preserved remains of organisms.
The work of archaeologists often involves careful excavation techniques to uncover information about societies before and after the advent of writing. These physical remnants help scholars to explore basic human needs like clothing and shelter, in addition to larger structures such as family groups, trade networks, and leadership systems. By studying these remains, archaeologists seek to learn how humans interacted with their environment, impacting it as much as it impacted their evolution and social development.